📅 January 30 – Preparing for the Return of Jesus

Monthly theme: The Blessed Hope – Living in Expectation
Yearly theme 2026: “The King Is Coming Soon – Hope Beyond the End”

📖 Central Bible Text of the Day

“So you also must be ready,
for the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect Him.”
— Matthew 24:44

🌅 Devotion for the Day

The return of Jesus is the glorious hope of the church—
but also a serious call to preparation.
Jesus will not come only
to judge the world,
but above all
to bring His children home.

“Behold, I am coming soon,
and My reward is with Me,
to give to each one according to what he has done.”
— Revelation 22:12

These words are not only a warning,
but an invitation:
“Prepare to meet Me!”

Ellen G. White wrote:

“There is no greater truth
that should occupy the minds of believers
than the preparation for the coming of the Lord.
This is no time for spiritual drowsiness,
for the hour of decision is near.”
(Testimonies for the Church, vol. 8, p. 252)

✨ Ready Through Relationship

True preparation is not an outward routine,
but an intimate relationship with Christ.
Not knowledge of prophecy alone prepares us,
but living with the One
who is soon to appear.

“Now this is eternal life:
that they know You, the only true God,
and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent.”
— John 17:3

Prepared is the one who knows Jesus—
who lives daily in His Word,
talks with Him
and reflects Him.

Ellen White wrote:

“Many are not ready because they think
preparation is the work of the last hour.
But character is not formed in a moment.
It is shaped through daily faithfulness in little things.”
(Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 412)

Every quiet time of prayer,
every victory over self,
every small act of love
is preparation for eternity.

🌿 The Heart of Watchfulness

Jesus called His disciples:

“Watch and pray,
so that you will not fall into temptation.”
— Matthew 26:41

Watchfulness does not mean fear,
but attentiveness—
a heart that listens when the Spirit speaks.
The five wise virgins in Matthew 25
were not better informed,
but they had oil—
the Holy Spirit in their lives.

Ellen White explains:

“The oil in the lamps represents the Holy Spirit.
No one can be prepared for another.
Each must maintain his own connection with God.”
(The Great Controversy, p. 393)

Therefore, true preparation is a personal work.
No one can replace my relationship with Christ.

🕊️ A Cleansed Heart

“Everyone who has this hope in Him
purifies himself, just as He is pure.”
— 1 John 3:3

Those who hope for Jesus’ coming
live in the light of His presence.
Preparation includes purification—
not by force,
but by love.

Ellen White wrote:

“The purification of the heart is not a sudden change,
but a daily dying to self
and a continual growth in grace.”
(Steps to Christ, p. 69)

God’s grace does not only change the past,
it sanctifies the present
and shapes character for the future.

🌄 The Joy of the Ready

For the prepared, the return of Jesus is not fear,
but the fulfillment of all longing.
They say:

“Surely this is our God;
we trusted in Him, and He saved us.
This is the Lord, we trusted in Him;
let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation.”
— Isaiah 25:9

Ellen White describes:

“When Christ appears,
the righteous will welcome Him with joy.
They have long known His voice,
and His coming will not take them by surprise.”
(The Great Controversy, p. 640)

For them, heaven is not a strange place,
but the home of a familiar Friend.

🙏 Prayer

Lord Jesus,
prepare my heart for Your coming.

I do not want only to wait for You—
I want to live with You today.

Give me Your Spirit,
so that I may remain watchful, faithful, and loving.

Cleanse my heart,
that I may glorify Your name
until You come to take me home.

Amen.

💭 Thought for the Day

“Preparation for the return of Christ
is not a one-time act,
but a daily decision
to live in fellowship with Him.”
— Ellen G. White, Maranatha, p. 227

💡 Personal Application

1. Read Matthew 24 and 25.
   Reflect: Where is Jesus calling you to spiritual watchfulness?

2. Pray:
   “Lord, keep my lamp burning.”

3. Practical step:
   Live today as if you might see Jesus today.
   Let every thought, every word, and every action
   express your expectation.

🌺 Closing Verse

“Blessed are those servants
whom the Lord finds watching when He comes.”
— Luke 12:37